The proposal for a six story 140-Unit apartment complex alongside Beaver Swamp Brook in Harrison was withdrawn on Tuesday afternoon. But for local residents opposing development on the property, concern remains unmitigated.
In a letter to Harrison Mayor Richard Dionisio, Stagg Group attorney and longtime Harrison resident and political operative Al Pirro said “the application which has been filed for the multi-family building at 67 Grant Avenue is withdrawn.” The letter continued to detail costs Stagg endured brining the project to the current point including “hundreds of thousands of dollars” paid to Fenom Fitness for an early lease termination.
Not stated in the letter is the over $9 million Stagg has invested in the 67 Grant Avenue and adjacent Oakland Avenue property needed for access to make the development viable. The group paid $6.5 million in 2021 for 67 Grant and another $2.9 million earlier this year for the Oakland Avenue property. Developers like Stagg are not wallflowers, and no doubt they will look the recoup their investment in some other way.
Also on Tuesday afternoon, the 20,500 square foot industrial building on 67 Grant property was listed for lease on a commercial property site at $25.00/square foot/year, and noted as available for move in on June 1. The broker is listed as Frank Morris of Distinguished Realty Services but his online profile also shows he is an acquisition specialist for Stagg Group, the developer.
Pirro’s letter offered help, indicating an interest this continues to play out. “We have been advised that the Town will seek a grant from the State of New York Environmental Facilities Corporation to address certain improvements in the Beaver Swamp Brook and surrounding properties including Park Avenue. The engineering team at Stagg Group supports the effort and offers the Harrison Town Engineering Department whatever assistance is needed in identifying solutions for this flood-prone area.”
Opponents of the plan still expect to show up at a Harrison Town Board meeting this Thursday to fight for a proposed building moratorium. Opponents are hoping to push for an eight month moratorium, beyond the currently floated six months. That would put any movement on the property well after the fall election.
“[The goal is] trying to get this moratorium to eight months,” said Frank Gordon, a local resident and opposition organizer. “That’s what’s on my mind right now. That would that would help somewhat take it out of the possible political gamesmanship.”
Read Pirro’s letter on 67 Grant Avenue.
